Fleming Statement on White House Rejection of Keystone Pipeline

Congressman John Fleming, M.D., (LA-4) released the following statement after President Obama denied a permit for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

“The enviro-liberal grip on the White House is clear. At a time when the American people are desperate for job creation, the president has caved to left wing pressure and rejected a project that held the potential for 20,000 construction jobs and more than 110,000 jobs over the life of the project; jobs that wouldn’t cost taxpayers a penny. That’s not to mention how important the Keystone Pipeline could have been in providing a secure and stable supply of oil. Instead, the president is turning Canada away and encouraging our neighbors to sell its oil to countries like China.

“The Keystone Pipeline should not be a victim of the short-sighted politics of a blame-shifting president whose policies are destroying our country’s climate for job creation. President Obama has chosen to be the do-nothing president when it comes to turning our economy around, but it is imperative that Republicans in Congress continue this fight.

Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.